Niland nails a hat-trick as the Bridge hold off brave Kinvara

Kinvara 2-9

Darren Kelly at Duggan Park

CLARINBRIDGE completed a second promotion in three seasons after securing the county intermediate camogie title at Duggan Park on Sunday.

A first half Niamh Niland hat-trick proved decisive for Brian Carr’s charges as the 2018 junior title winners booked their place among the senior ranks in 2021.

This was an exciting contest between two sides willing to attack, but also provided two assured half back lines who regularly cut out opposing threats in keeping the scoring low.

That being said, prominent forwards rose to the challenge with Niland also joined by Kinvara’s Rachel Burke who hit two crucial three-pointers either side of half-time. However, Kinvara couldn’t manage to get back on level terms despite getting to within one point in the closing stages.

Kinvara suffered defeat at this stage to Carnmore last season but made the ideal start with two early points. Ciara Helebert provided both white flags, the second coming from an acute angle on the left.

Clarinbridge fell to the same opponents in 2019 but got off the mark on four minutes when Niland opened her account. And when Fiona Armstrong picked out Carrie Dolan 60 seconds later, the sides were level at 0-2 apiece.

Siofra Boland was making her presence felt in the early stages as Clarinbridge tried to capitalise on the stiff breeze blowing towards the railway goal in Ballinasloe. She made it 0-3 to 0-2 on seven minutes before Rachel Linnane restored parity immediately afterwards.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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